Monday, April 09, 2012

Easter's Musical Gift

Alleluia, He is risen! We sang all about it yesterday. And it was wonderful.

Our parish schedules an extra Mass on Easter to accommodate the expected crowds. The rest of the schedule is shuffled a bit so that the larger of the two church buildings has the majority of Masses, which makes sense, because you need to fit more people. Our folk group was playing at the little church at 10 AM. There hasn't been a 10 AM Mass at the little church in almost 4 years. So I was a little curious about how well-attended it would be. Would people forget? After all, my husband would have headed over to the big church if I hadn't reminded him that we were singing at the little church. He'd have found a Mass there too, because both churches had a 10:00--but he wouldn't have found us.

It was a full house--and more--in the choir area, because it was a full house--and more--in the church. My husband and mother-in-law couldn't get seats in the pews, so they sat with us. So did Big Brother, who didn't have a guitar at home to play (and regretted that, at the last minute). Middle Sister was serving, of course. The folk group showed up in force, except for one member who was visiting faraway family. Best problem in the world to have: not enough seating for all the musicians and singers. Fortunately, our church has these great "window seats" in the choir area. At least 10 people had to use them; all 15 chairs were taken.

And we made our joyful noise. It feels SO GOOD to lift your voice in "Alleluia" and "Glory to God" after all this time. This group has a long tradition of singing "All Good Gifts" on Easter (the Godspell version) and though you might think of it as better suited to Thanksgiving, it works for Easter so well: Easter Mass is all about celebrating, and thanking God, for the enormous and extravagant gift of love, shown through Jesus and His sacrifice.

Even better, we were permitted to sing our very favorite piece: the Lord's Prayer. It's a hallmark of our group, but one that we were asked to stop singing when the parishes merged. A couple of times during Lent, the pastor (who asked us not to sing it anymore) allowed us to sing it. People love it. It's right up there with "Amazing Grace" in the Raise the Roof and Sing Along Factor. And our associate pastor loves it, because it eliminates the whole "barrel through the Lord's Prayer" thing that is his personal pet peeve.

Our associate pastor has been stationed here for more than 7 years, and I think I've seen him actually sing maybe twice in all that time. Yesterday, he sang along with the Lord's Prayer too.

When we finish the Lord's Prayer, we all get the same feeling: we have Been To Church. We have PRAISED.

I got a big basket full of chocolate and sugar for Easter, but the music was definitely a better gift, because it helps me remember the greatest gift.

3 comments:

We felt the same when we left church..the trumpets, the bells the music, it was fantastic! I love your blog with the cross of St. Francis. I carry a small wooden rosary from Assisi and it has this cross. He is one I turn to many days...make me an instrument of your peace. Great words to calm the soul!

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What is the SFO?

The Secular Franciscan Order, formerly known as the Third Order of St. Francis, is an official Order within the Catholic Church, and was established by St. Francis of Assisi early in the thirteenth century. Members do not live in community, but live their everyday lives in the world. However, members gather together in fraternity on a regular basis. By profession, they promise to follow a Rule of Life approved and confirmed by Pope Paul VI in June of 1978.

In these fraternities the brothers and sisters, led by the Spirit, strive for perfect charity in their own secular state.

“The rule and life of the Secular Franciscan is this: to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following Saint Francis of Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people.” (from the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order)

My Pocket Rosary

Today's pocket rosary is for: my husband and children;
the repose of the souls of Uncle Pat, Mary M, OFS, Martha K, OFS, Eileen S, OFS, and Mark H;for my old friend and musical co-conspirator PJ;for the intentions of the Holy Father;Michelle's brother-in-law, deployed to Iraq,and for his family;Denise's son who is serving our country in the Middle East;all my OFS brothers and sisters; and the intentions of all who read this blog.

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2013 Spiritual Mission

Chosen for the year ahead at our annual Extraction of Saints
My patron saint: Saint Anthony of Padua
Virtue to develop: Piety
Maxim to follow: "Live always in truth, that you may die in obedience."
Praying for the intentions of: Sister Julia, OSF

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Prayer for a Prolife Nation

Father in Heaven, bless the leaders of our nation with wisdom, humility, and upright moral character. May our leaders know that justice can only be achieved when we uphold the principal priority of the Right to Life. Give to our public servants the grace to make decisions that are appropriate to their office. Allow them to be humble before all people, by serving the needs of the citizens, not just with words, but most importantly with actions. Lord, as nations experience division due to political fighting, give to citizens the grace to be peacemakers, to take responsibility for their own lives, and to try and work together for the good of all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
--Father Leo Patalinghug at Grace Before Meals